Editor-in-Chief Soma Patra ’26 and Contributing Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 watched the Rusty Pipes’ Spring Show this past Friday in EMPAC.

Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 reveals students’ troubles with dining on campus for those with dietary restrictions.

Composing Editor Ryan Hickey ’25 discusses the potential of advanced AI like GPT-5 and argues against the call to pause its development.

The Engineers hosted Bard College last Wednesday, emerging victorious with a 9‒0 win against the Raptors.

Editorial/Opinion Editor Soma Patra ’26 attended the RPI Players’ first performance of Heathers The Musical in EMPAC.

Resident assistants voted overwhelmingly 55-9 to approve the RA Union. The election, administered by the National Labor Relations Board, took place last Tuesday and Wednesday in the Union. Rensselaer will now be required by law to bargain collectively with the union in relation to RA compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

RPI Rugby gains funding for upcoming Beast of the East tournament, while Dance Team’s additional subsidy for National competition gets tabled for next meeting. The board discusses marketing and solidifying one shade of red for the Union.

RPI’s Ballroom Dance Club hosted a DanceSport Competition in the Armory this past Saturday.

President Martin A. Schmidt ’81 gave an update on what future finances will look like, as well as a few institution changes that many faculty appreciated. Some changes include no charge on paid time off when the school is closed for holiday break and adding Juneteenth to the faculty holiday calendar.

Former President of the Union Colleen Corrigan ’23G held her final E-Board meeting as President last week. She will be succeeded by Ava Gallagher ’23G.

Associate Business Manager Gemma Beatty ’26 discusses the recent popularity of film photography and whether this vintage trend is worthwhile for both the industry and its customers.

Ben Viner ’24 has been elected Grand Marshal and Ava Gallagher ’23G has been elected President of the Union. Ria Massoni '24 was reelected as Undergraduate President.

RAs at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) have been fighting for fair pay, better work distribution, and improved communication with RPI administration for around 3 years. After significant effort and organizing, the RA union at RPI is poised to win their labor union election, which will take place next week on March 28th and March 29th.

The Senate approved changes to the Alcohol and Other Drug Policy along with changes to the Judicial Process. Both sets of changes were aimed at providing more clarity to students about when certain policies apply.

Associate News Editor Alex Boyko '26 writes about his experience with piping plovers and a recent opportunity to support them with help from the Audubon Youth Advocacy Program.

An individual by the name of Tyriek McGraw was arrested for criminal trespass on campus on February 9. Posters issued by Public Safety were placed around on campus, warning students about the individual.

Starting over Spring Break, students will receive emails through Exchange Online instead of webmail.

Vice President for Student Life Peter Konwerski sent out a new RA compensation plan in light of the RPI RA Union's letter. The union wrote a press release back.

Associate News Editor Alex Boyko ’26 explains the importance of mindfulness and why he struggled to understand it.

The Engineers buried three goals past Yale in the first period en route to a 4‒2 victory in front of a frenzied Houston Field House for the 45th annual Big Red Freakout. Lauri Sertti led the way for Rensselaer with a goal and three assists, including both of Jakob Lee’s goals. RPI improves to 12‒17‒1 on the season and currently sits in ninth place in the ECAC, three points behind the Union Dutchmen.

The RPI Black Student’s Alliance art show featured artwork from various different artists with different mediums, styles, and topics.

A letter with approval from over 75% of RAs was given to an assistant of President Martin A. Schmidt ’81 for Schmidt to recognize an RA union.

Looking for some new beverage recommendations? Here are The Poly’s current favorites!

In addition to her duties as a starter for the women’s hockey team, Hannah Price ’23 spends her time off the ice giving back to the community. Sports Editor Andrew Days ’23 sat down with her to discuss her volunteer work following her repeat nomination for the Hockey Humanitarian Award. The recipient will be honored during the NCAA Men’s Frozen Four on April 7.

Rensselaer’s Pep Band reaches a milestone of 100 years full of thousands of musical moments, endless school spirit and support as America’s Pep Band.

The Engineers netted three third-period goals to defeat the Union Dutchwomen 3‒1 for their second consecutive Mayor’s Cup victory, remaining the reigning champions. Maddy Peterson buried two goals past the Union goaltender in her second game after returning from an injury earlier in the month; Maddy Papineau netted the Engineers’ go-ahead goal. Amanda Rampado made 22 saves on 23 shots in the victory.

Meg Hildner and Ellie Kaiser scored goals in the third period to secure a vital 2‒0 victory over St. Lawrence. ECAC Goaltender of the Week Amanda Rampado racked up 78 saves in the two games over the weekend, conceding only two goals. Rensselaer still sits in ninth in the ECAC with the win bringing them to 9.5 points.

The annual Dutchman Shoes game is always a highlight of the Rensselaer football season. The RPI Engineers and the Union Dutchmen have a historic rivalry which is the fifth oldest in NCAA Division III and the oldest in the state of New York. Yet, despite each meeting between the Dutchmen and Engineers adding to the legacy of this rivalry, no one can agree on who won the first game in 1886.

Associate Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 shares her experience going to The Indian Student Association’s undergraduate Diwali Show.

Reigning-champions Rensselaer scored three touchdowns, two in the first quarter, to secure a 23-13 victory over Union in the annual Dutchman Shoes rivalry game. Not receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament, the Engineers will finish their season at East Campus Stadium to take on the Morrisville Mustangs in the Scotty Whitelaw Bowl on November 19.

The Polytechnic interviewed Martin Schmidt ’81 to discuss goals for the future.

Associate Features Editor Anna Zuniga ’26 and Justin Chassin ’22G attended the dress rehearsal and the 8 pm performance of Adam Weinert’s ANTHEM in EMPAC’s concert hall on November 4. The event employed layered symbolism, choreography, and film to criticize the American national anthem.

The RPI Players presented an exemplary performance at the Playhouse this past weekend, displaying an outstanding production of Dracula.

The Student Senate conducted a Q&A session with President Schmidt, asking questions that ranged from mental health, Greek life, and Schmidt’s day-to-day.

President Martin Schmidt ’81 held his first Town Hall where he discussed shuttles, the Arch, and his three-step plan for the future.

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett ’23G gives her take on a previous article by past Grand Marshal Advaith Narayan ’21.

The Engineers secured a 10‒6 come-from-behind victory over the St. Lawrence Saints, scoring on a touchdown reception by Shane Allison and a field goal by Aleksander Maric. The Rensselaer defense shut down the Saints after giving up a touchdown in the first quarter, holding them to just 153 yards of total offense.

The Engineers came back from being down 3‒1, equalizing with less than three minutes remaining in regulation, but could not finish off the Harvard Crimson in overtime when Ellie Kaiser rang a shot off the underside of the bar. Rensselaer tied, remaining winless in the ECAC.

The Student Senate rejected a proposal to increase class dues by one dollar. Undergraduate President Ria Massoni ’24 submitted the proposal so that the class councils and Undergraduate Council could have more funds available for events and to send two students to the National Association for Campus Activities Conference. Also, Class of 2024 Senator Gabriel Tambalini was impeached.

The Engineers sent the Golden Knights home and themselves to the playoffs in their 3‒0 victory. Paul Silva, Julio Rodriguez, and Liam McDermott netted goals in the decisive victory. Rensselaer finished fourth in the Liberty League, granting them home-field advantage for the first round of the playoffs on November 1.

Engineers solidify their playoff position as they survive Ithaca’s late-game surge to win the game 2‒1.

A key part of adulthood is maintaining your physical and mental health. Features Editor Soma Patra ’26 takes a look at Rensselaer’s Student Health Center and the various services it offers.

Miles Thomas was elected Class of 2026 President and Addison Mulder was elected Class of 2026 Vice President. Class senators and representatives were also elected.

Women in the class of 2026 were offered a $20,000 grant in hopes of increasing women enrollment. The class of 2026 has the most women in a single class, although the class itself is made up of 30% women.

The Engineers dropped their first two home games of the season to the Mercyhurst Lakers, bringing their record to 0‒6‒0. Hannah Price scored the Engineers’ only goal of the weekend, and Amanda Rampado made a combined 62 saves on 66 shots for a 0.939 save percentage. Rensselaer returns to the Houston Field House for a two-game set against RIT on October 21 and 22 at 3 pm.

While most students enjoyed a block party on the ’86 Field, others sat in the EMPAC Concert Hall as notable figures welcomed Schmidt to Rensselaer.

Grand Marshal Cait Bennett answers the question everyone wants to know: “Is Marty really that cool?”

The Rensselaer Engineers beat the Mercyhurst Lakers 6‒3 in their home opener after netting a goal 33 seconds in and converting on both of their first two power plays. Jakob Lee finished the night with five points on two goals and three assists, Jake Gagnon with three points on a goal and two assists, and Ryan Mahshie with two goals. In the game the following night, RPI’s Jack Brackett buried an overtime winner to take the contest 3‒2.

The Rensselaer community grieves over the unexpected passing of 19-year-old sophomore Alana Tow.

RPI Sunrise was granted Union affiliation, and the Badminton, ACHA Hockey, and Union Show Tech clubs all received subsidy reallocations.

Set directly across the street from Blitman Commons, 518 Donuts offers a welcoming space for food and fun. Features Editor Soma Patra ’26 gives the Rensselaer student body an inside look into this hot new snack spot.

We are far from a world where AI-generated content rivals what humans create, but recent leaps in AI and machine learning have convinced Managing Editor David Liu ’22 that this future is inevitable.